- complacency
- complacency 1640s, from same source as COMPLACENCE (Cf. complacence) but with the later form of the suffix (see -CY (Cf. -cy)).
Etymology dictionary. 2014.
complacency
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complacency — [kəm plā′sənskəm plā′sən sē] n. [LL complacentia < L complacens: see COMPLACENT] quiet satisfaction; contentment; often, specif., self satisfaction, or smugness: also complacence [kəm plā′səns] … English World dictionary
Complacency — Complacence Com*pla cence, Complacency Com*pla cen*cy, n. [LL. complacentia: cf. F. complaisance. See {Complacent}, and cf. {Complaisance}.] 1. Calm contentment; satisfaction; gratification. [1913 Webster] The inward complacence we find in acting … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
complacency — [[t]kəmple͟ɪs(ə)nsi[/t]] N UNCOUNT (disapproval) Complacency is being complacent about a situation. ...a worrying level of complacency about the risks of infection from AIDS... She warned that there was no room for complacency on inflation … English dictionary
complacency — n. complacency about stewards * * * [kəm pleɪs(ə)nsɪ] towards complacency about … Combinatory dictionary
complacency — com|pla|cen|cy [kəmˈpleısənsi] n [U] a feeling of satisfaction with a situation or with what you have achieved, so that you stop trying to improve or change things used to show disapproval ▪ Doctors have warned against complacency in fighting… … Dictionary of contemporary English
complacency — noun (plural cies) Date: 1650 1. self satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies 2. an instance of complacency … New Collegiate Dictionary
complacency — noun a) A feeling of contented self satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble. There was something pathetic in his concentration as if his complacency, more acute than of old, was not enough to him any more. When, almost… … Wiktionary
complacency — noun (U) a feeling of satisfaction with what you have achieved which makes you stop trying to improve or change things: There are no grounds for complacency in today s competitive environment … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
complacency — UK [kəmˈpleɪs(ə)nsɪ] / US noun [uncountable] a complacent attitude or way of behaving The government has been accused of complacency over food poisoning outbreaks … English dictionary
complacency — complacent ► ADJECTIVE ▪ smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one s achievements. DERIVATIVES complacency (also complacence) noun complacently adverb. ORIGIN from Latin complacere to please … English terms dictionary
